MANY young adults in the Myall Coast Area will be voting for the first time when Australians go to the polls for the 2 July Federal Election.

One of the area’s youngest new voters McKelty Searle, will celebrate her 18th Birthday on the eve of the election.

McKelty said she has been looking forward to voting for some time.

“It’s a big responsibility and I’m quite excited to finally have a say in issues affecting our country,” she said.

“I’m concerned about the environment, particularly Coal Seam Gas as it’s impacting on our area negatively and it will be good to be in a position where I can influence the outcome.”

To assist in making the big decision on who gets her vote, McKelty said she has researched what each of the Candidates for the seat of Lyne represent.

“Each of the candidates have different priorities and backgrounds and they are all focusing their attention on different National issues,” she said.

“I’ve read up on what the candidates are offering and I’ll be voting for the one that best addresses the issues that I think are important.”

McKelty said she has also researched the policies of the major Political Parties to assist with making a choice for the Senate.

For first time voters, the process of casting their ballot can be overwhelming.

From running the gauntlet of party supporters handing how-to-vote cards to worry about filling out the ballot paper correctly, a small amount of preparation can assist young voters.

McKelty said she has been practicing voting on the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) website to make sure her vote counts.

“I have never voted before and I’ve never seen a real ballot paper,” she said.

“I want to make sure I know exactly what I need to do when I finally go to vote.”

Practice voting for the both the House of Representatives and the Senate can be done on the AEC website at www.aec.gov.au

 

By Daniel SAHYOUN